The death of Dr Job Obwaka, a respected gynaecologist and former board member at Nairobi Hospital, has been attributed to cardiac arrest, according to a post-mortem conducted this week.
The examination, carried out on Tuesday at Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi, identified cardiac arrest as the immediate cause of death. A family representative said the episode was linked to an underlying heart condition, though further tests are still under way.
“We are in agreement with the findings so far,” said Joseph Ndungu, speaking on behalf of the family. “However, a toxicology report is still being conducted to determine the exact cause.”
Dr Obwaka, 83, died on May 1 after he was rushed to The Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
His death has drawn public attention not only because of his long career in medicine, but also due to the circumstances leading up to it. Police have told a court they are investigating the possibility of poisoning, describing it as one of several lines of inquiry.
In an affidavit, Sergeant Rhoda Nzioka of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said samples had been collected from a residence where Dr Obwaka had been shortly before he collapsed. These samples are to be analysed by the Government Chemist.
A woman, Beatrice Wangari, is being held for 10 days as investigators complete their inquiries. Prosecutors told the court that further examinations, including possible toxicological and mental assessments, may follow.
Ms Wangari’s defence team has rejected the allegations. They argue that earlier searches of the premises uncovered no evidence to support claims of poisoning. The proposal to collect additional samples, they said, amounts to an overreach.
For now, the autopsy offers a measure of clarity, but not closure. The final toxicology results are expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the death was purely medical or involved other factors.
Dr Obwaka is widely remembered as a steady presence in Kenya’s medical field. Over decades, he worked in women’s health and held leadership roles, including serving on the board of Nairobi Hospital. Colleagues describe him as a dedicated practitioner who shaped both policy and practice in the sector.
As investigations continue, his family and the public are left awaiting answers that may settle lingering questions around his final hours.
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